Pinterest

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Anna’s Linens is optimizing its e-commerce site for mobile device users. The retailer says nearly one-third of its online traffic originates from mobile devices, prompting the move.

Charlotte, N.C. – Belk is teaming up with social, mobile and digital engagement platform ePrize, as well as Pinterest and Instagram marketing analytics suite provider Curalate to launch a Pinterest campaign aimed at brides called “Pin to Win.” At a high level, during the promotion consumers will visit a sweepstakes microsite where they can "pin" a pre-populated pin board image based on their bridal type or select an image of their own for a chance to win a $5,000 Belk gift card.

Dallas -- The Army & Air Force Exchange Service announced a refresh of the organization’s official website, Shopmyexchange.com, in preparation for the key holiday selling season.
 
Improvements include a new homepage layout design, complete with an updated visual look and industry-standard navigation; more product categories; easy-to-find links to specialty stores and online mall vendors; improved product pages; and easier checkout.
 

St. Louis – Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food is launching a Pinterest sweepstakes called “Cheese Affair Pin to Win.” The contest, promoting the company’s new line of cheddar cheese-flavored products, offers cheese-themed prizes including a trip to New York to attend an event hosted by cheese expert and author Liz Thorpe. Consumers are eligible to win prizes by pinning certain cheese-themed images from Fancy Feast on their Pinterest boards during certain time periods through Aug. 11.

Minneapolis -- Target is making a concerted effort to pick up business from college students with a multifaceted omni-channel marketing campaign. At the center of the campaign is the Bullseye University Digital Experience, a new live online experience featuring popular YouTube personalities in a digital dorm. From July 15-18, college kids will be able to shop products from the digital dorm rooms, interact with the YouTube personalities, enter to win prizes and participate in live-streamed events such as concerts and workout sessions.

Retailers share online insights

Speakers at the recent Internet Retailer Conference & Exposition in Chicago discussed how the retail industry is using a number of digital technologies to assist performance in areas such as CRM, marketing, driving customer traffic and converting sales. Following are a few brief highlights:

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Domino’s is offering a new program called “Second Hand Logos” on Pinterest. Ten artists are using old materials featuring the old Domino’s logo, such as uniforms and signage, to create artwork which is displayed for sale on Domino’s Pinterest page. In addition to selling products, the Pinterest page will also provide updates on art projects and information on the artists. A separate dedicated e-commerce page will also bring visitors directly to the Domino’s Pinterest page.

HSN may have been a pioneer in using TV as a shopping channel, but the retailer is using emerging technology to become a much broader enterprise. As HSN CEO Mindy Grossman detailed during a keynote session at last week’s Internet Retailer conference in Chicago, this is not your mother’s HSN. Not by a long shot.

“We’re engaging consumers away from TV,” said Grossman. “There is a dramatic transformation of the consumer. They are being reshaped by technology, social networks and mobility.”